Lenovo proved that its possible to buy an unwanted business (PCs) from a giant company (IBM) and turn it a massive success. After buying Sony's portable PC business, Vaio is hoping for the same and just revealed its first prototype: a 12.3-inch hybrid tablet that would cost at least 200,000 yen ($1,800). This is the first prototype it created without any Sony influence (though it still sells Sony's current models) and the Japanese company has shown it's taking a completely different tack than Lenovo.

]]>
Tue, 07 Oct 2014 05:03:00 -040021|20973655http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/21/lenovo-thinkpad-twist-review/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/21/lenovo-thinkpad-twist-review/http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/21/lenovo-thinkpad-twist-review/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23commentsIt used to be that "convertible PC" could mean only one thing: a laptop whose display swiveled around, folding down into tablet mode. Now that Windows 8 is here, though, the category has become a bit muddied. How else to describe our recent collection of reviews? In just the past few weeks alone, we've tested a laptop whose screen folds all the way back, an Ultrabook whose display flips inside the hinge and yet another with a slide-out keyboard. Anything goes -- at least until consumers decide which form factor they like best.

But when Lenovo calls its new ThinkPad Twist a convertible, you can rest assured it's using the old-school definition. As the name implies, it has a rotating screen that allows it to be used as a 12-inch slate. And, like all the business-friendly ThinkPads that came before it, it sports a well-engineered keyboard, a secondary set of touch buttons and, of course, that signature red pointing stick. Now, though, it runs a much more finger-friendly OS, and has a touchpad that can support all the new gestures in Windows 8. It's one of several new touch-capable notebooks from Lenovo, but it's the only one geared toward business users. So is this worth the upgrade from an older ThinkPad? And is it a better buy than Lenovo's other Win 8 convertible, the IdeaPad Yoga 13? Read on to find out.Gallery-171580

A Windows 8 PC that can be used in a tablet mode? Those will come a dime a dozen this fall. But what's fascinating is how each PC maker has approached the challenge of mixing a touchscreen with a more traditional mouse-and-keyboard setup. For some OEMs, this means going the hybrid route, with 10- or 11-inch tablets that slot neatly into an optional keyboard dock. For others, it means a full-fledged PC with a slide-outtouchscreen. And for a few, it means a laptop whose screen can fold down, leaving you with what can only be described as an oversized slate.

That's how we would describe the Dell XPS 12, a 12.5-inch notebook whose screen flips inside its hinge, allowing you to use the machine in tablet mode or, if you prefer, with the screen facing away from the keys. (Yes, Dell is giving this form factor a second try.) It starts at a relatively steep $1,200 but then again, this is a fairly premium machine we're talking about: it combines all the ingredients of an Ultrabook (lightweight build, Ivy Bridge processor and a solid-state drive) with a 400-nit, 1080p, Gorilla Glass touchscreen. So what's it like to use this form factor? And how does it fare as a regular ol' Windows 8 PC? Let's see.Gallery-168798

Well, that's a form factor you don't see that often. Of all the Windows 8 PCs we've seen so far, the Dell XPS 12 is tough to forget, if only because it's the only one whose screen flips inside the hinge like an easel. We already got hands-on at IFA last month, but now we're learning some key details -- you know, like pricing and availability. Dell just announced that it will go up for pre-order today, starting at $1,199. (It will ship October 26th, the day Windows 8 launches.) That's a princely sum indeed compared to some of the other Windows 8 ultraportables we've seen, but it's important to remember that this runs not on an Atom processor, but an Ultrabook-grade CPU. And while you might assume that 12.5-inch display makes do with 1,366 x 768 resolution, it's actually a dense 1080p panel. Hopefully we'll get to review a final unit soon, but in the meantime feast yourself on a fresh round of hands-on shots below.Gallery-167007

Lenovo was first out of the gate with a form-shifting Windows 8 machine when it unveiled the IdeaPad Yoga at CES. Now the company's back with a convertible for its business customers, the ThinkPad Edge Twist. In many ways, it's a convertible in the most conventional sense of the word: unlike the Yoga, whose screen folds all the way back, the Twist has a 12.5-inch display that can swivel all the way around and fold down into tablet mode. As a member of the Edge family, in particular, it blends design elements from Lenovo's business and consumer lines, with metal accents, rounded edges, an island-style keyboard, a magnesium frame and, of course, that signature soft-touch finish.

Stealing the show is that 12.5-inch, 350-nit, Gorilla Glass-coated display, which uses IPS technology for wider angles. On the inside, the Twist runs your choice of a Core i5 or i7 processor, with up to 8GB of RAM and either a 128GB SSD or a 7,200RPM hard drive (320GB or 500GB). Battery life, meanwhile, is rated at up to seven hours. At 3.48 pounds, it's heavier than some larger-screened Ultrabooks, but at least that 0.79-inch frame makes room for a full-sized Ethernet jack. (It also has a memory card reader, two USB 3.0 ports, mini-HDMI output and a mini-DisplayPort.) As for business-friendly features, the laptop offers TPM and can be configured with an optional 3G radio. Look for it on October 26th, starting at $849. Until then, enjoy those hands-on shots below.Gallery-167654Gallery-167647

Well, look at what we have here! We just swung by Samsung's booth at Computex, and the outfit is showing off not one, but two touch-enabled variations of its Series 5 Ultrabooks. These include the Ultra Touch, a classic clamshell laptop, along with the Ultra Convertible, whose 13-inch display folds all the way back (not unlike the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga). Both devices are on their way stateside; it's just not clear when or how much they'll cost. Until then, we've got hands-on preview photos below, along with detailed impressions and a pair of walk-through videos. So join us, won't you?Gallery-156971Gallery-156973

If you're excited about convertible tablets but can't wait for the IdeaPad Yoga to arrive, then perhaps Novero's Solana might give you a temporary fix. It's a dinky netbook (yes, netbook) that runs both Windows 7 and Android, but you can flip the display over in its frame to turn it into a tablet PC. It's packing a dual-core 1.6GHz Intel Atom N2600, Intel GMA 3600 IGP Graphics, 2GB of RAM and a choice of 32 or 64GB of solid-state storage. Fortunately, it looks like it won't be long before we get to clench it to our chests since it's now been given the thumbs-up from the assembled experts down in the FCC's underground bunker. For around $800, you too can pretend it's 2009 all over again, just remember to bring the Flo Rida.

]]>
Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:32:00 -040021|20208168http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/noveros-solana-is-an-800-netbook-running-windows-7-and-android/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/noveros-solana-is-an-800-netbook-running-windows-7-and-android/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/noveros-solana-is-an-800-netbook-running-windows-7-and-android/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23commentsThe last time we saw the Novero Solana, we were prowling Intel's booth at CES in search of prototypes. Because it was Intel, not Novero, showing the device, the emphasis was on that Cedar Trail processor inside, as well as that kooky form factor -- a netbook with a titling, easel-like touchscreen. What we didn't know then was that the Solana also runs Android, and that it's almost ready for prime time: it's expected to hit Europe and North America within the next two to three months, priced at about €699 or $799, respectively. We had a chance to play with some more polished hardware here at Mobile World Congress, and also see the machine running Gingerbread. Follow past the break for some early impressions or, if it's too early in the US to stomach reading, have a gander at our quickie demo video.Gallery-149169Gallery-149172

]]>
Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:50:00 -050021|20183477http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/15/lenovo-leaks-thinkpad-x61-convertible-tablet/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/15/lenovo-leaks-thinkpad-x61-convertible-tablet/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/15/lenovo-leaks-thinkpad-x61-convertible-tablet/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23commentsTablet PC Review has discovered a tantalizing spec sheet buried on an IBM website, one which details an upcoming convertible tablet that is presumably the successor to the popular X60: say hello to the Thinkpad X61. Although pics aren't available, word is that the new model will retain the same form factor as its predecessor (pictured), but offer beefed up options such as a 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo L7500 ULV CPU, up to 1,400 x 1,050 pixels on the 12.1-inch screen, as much as 160GB / 2GB of storage / RAM, and all the ports and wireless options you could ask for (well, except for maybe 802.11n and WiMax). Since the posted document is dated today, and it is the season for laptop releases after all, we'd expect an official announcement on this one to come any day now.

]]>
Tue, 15 May 2007 21:05:00 -040021|897027http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/27/toshiba-announces-u205-ultra-portable-and-r25-convertible-notebo/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/27/toshiba-announces-u205-ultra-portable-and-r25-convertible-notebo/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/27/toshiba-announces-u205-ultra-portable-and-r25-convertible-notebo/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23comments
Toshiba just introduced another pair of Intel-powered notebooks to join the Epson and Alienware models we spotted earlier, both members of the Satellite series: the U205 ultra-portable (pictured) and the R25 convertible tablet (pictured after the break). Weighing in at 4.1 pounds, the 12.1-inch U205 (which is pretty similar to the U200) comes in either S5002 (Core Duo T2300E, 100GB hard drive) or S5022 (T2400, 120GB HDD) configurations, with both versions sporting 1GB of 533MHz DDR2 RAM, WXGA TruBrite TFTs, integrated graphics, dual-layer DVD burners, and Toshiba's LifeSmart Technology -- which includes a fingerprint reader, shock-absorbing components, and spill-resistant keyboard. Meanwhile, the 5.95-pound R25-S3503 also sports a Core Duo processor -- though only the 1.66GHz T2050 -- along with a 14.1-inch WXGA+ display, 100GB hard drive, and the same burner, graphics, memory configuration and LifeSmart swag as the U205. Both models are available immediately, with the S5022 and the tablet each going for $1,349, and the S5002 priced at $1,199.

]]>
Tue, 27 Jun 2006 11:28:00 -040021|637344http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/07/the-computer-bed-making-telecommuting-even-easier/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/07/the-computer-bed-making-telecommuting-even-easier/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/07/the-computer-bed-making-telecommuting-even-easier/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23comments
We're not sure if The Computer Bed could support the weight (or even footprints, for that matter) of our three monitors, desktop tower, photo printer, speakers + sub, flatbed scanner, and plethora of input devices, but if you've got a sparser setup and not a lot of space at your pad, this convertible desk/bed may be just what you've been looking for. Described as a "modern Murphy Bed," the multifunction product features gas pistons so your gear doesn't tumble around during the twice-daily conversion process, and also serves as a low-cost space heater at night by positioning you directly above your toasty equipment. At almost $2,500, The Computer Bed seems a bit pricey for a few pieces of unfinished wood and a twin-sized mattress that is most likely not Tempurpedic, but considering that you probably don't have the proper tools in your cramped little apartment to build your own, this may be the only solution.